yk

In my opinion, NYers and frequent visitors to Manhattan loathe Times Square - the crowds, the clueless tourists stopping in the middle of a sidewalk to take pictures, the noise, the flashing neon signs...

However, for first-time visitors to Manhattan, esp people who don't live in big cities, they tend to LOVE it, for the same above reasons - crowds, neon lights, noise...

If you have been to London and been to Piccadilly Circus on Sat nights, that's pretty similar to Times Square. I avoid both places like the plague.

I wonder if NYers miss the "old" Times Square? Back in the days when there were peep shows and adult bookstores all over the place?

sf7307

Just another voice...I'm a frequent visitor to NY, (and I grew up there) and I don't loathe Times Square.

Centralparkgirl

Doug - the Water Club is in Manhattan - East River and about 32nd St - and not romantic at all - you must mean the River Cafe?

doug_stallings

Yes, so stupid of me. The Water Club is just down from where I live. Duh. I did mean the River Cafe. I guess the Water Club might be a dinner option for the poster, but I think they specialize in seafood, though I've never been.

gyppielou

doug,

you mustve missed my querie

what's the right side of Broadway?

vjpblovesitaly

My guess is that the hotel is on the same side of Broadway as the play.

ellenem

gyppielou,

I think Doug meant the east side of Broadway (the side to the right when "north" is at the top of the map).

MarissaJ

Have you considered the Hampton Inn Times Square North at 51st St and 8th Ave? The hotel is close to many restaurants and Central Park, away from the worst of Times Square, and within a block of the Gershwin Theatre for Wicked. The hotel gets very good reviews and the rates (which include breakfast) during your time period are around $200/$250 a night for a double queen room. Don't know about views from the room though.

coldwar27

I like Times Square and have visited NYC a lot. It's touristy but guess what, you are a tourist. And if it is really a trip for your daughter, I'm sure she will love it. If you have never been, it's worth a visit. I have found NYC to be very walkable and have walked from Times Sq over to 5th Ave and Rockefeller Plaza, St. Patrick's and Tiffany's with no problem. Once you are there, you are right by Central Park. Have fun!

Aduchamp1

Times Square is good for a walk around after dark.

doug_stallings

Yes, for me the "right" side of Broadway for a hotel near Times Square is the east side. That puts you within easy walking distance of Wicked but does not require you to cross Times Square traffic every time you want to go shopping or to Rock Center or a museum (most of which are east of Broadway).

N77

I did look into the Hampton Inn at Times Square, it was tempting with its good ratings, closeness to the Gershwin Theatre, and price, however, the Wingate by Wyndham Manhattan Midtown is worth the forced taxi ride to the show. I'm not holding out for a view. I am still researching though!

I our dinner with a view may be at the River Cafe, it sounds incredible. I am still looking up the other options though. I love looking into the recommendations! You all are helping us make the most of our short trip, and I thank you!

vjpblovesitaly, I got it now... "Times Square." Thank you!

nytraveler

As a matter of fact, Wicked is at the Gershwin Theater - which is on 51st St - still in the Theater District but 5 or 6 blocks north of TimeS Square. (TIMES - with an S - named for the New York Times.) So, really staying right in Times Square makes less sense than staying in a more pleasant area - Central Park South or midtown east, or hotels in the 40's between 5th/6th Ave.

NeoPatrick

Perhaps "Times Square" here means the usual -- the entire area from around 40th to 50th, 6th to 8th. That's really a huge area. Frankly, to be technical I don't think there is a single hotel right IN Times Square. The area defined above is actually stretched even much further by most guide books listing "Times Square Hotels".

HowardR

Patrick, I'm surprised at your comment. Did you forget about the Marriott Marquis which is indeed right in Times Square?

N77

Okay, I love the advice to go east for a hotel. I'm on it!
Also, we are going to forgo using the free Southwest tickets so we don't have to fly into Islip Macarthur Airport. I will try to get other tickets tonight!

I'm still researching restaurants. I was disappointed to see mediocre reviews on Tripadvisor regarding the River Cafe, my first choice for a restaurant so far, so I have more investigating to do hunting for a restaurant with a view! I am looking into the recommendations posted here...

NeoPatrick

Howard, as I said I was being technical. I've stayed at the Marriott Marquis many times and it FACES Times Square, but it is not IN Times Square. How could it be? Any hotel IN Times Square would stop traffic. My point was that lots of hotels call themselves "Times Square" and they are up to 10 blocks away. Times Square is often used instead of "Theatre District" or even "Midtown West".

goddesstogo

Sorry, I haven't read any of the responses except the first one (such a long thread!) and I just wanted to say that the River Cafe is lovely. When you make your reservation tell them about your daughters sweet 16th birthday and they'll do something special for dessert for her. Ask for a table near the window. It's a wonderful, very New York-y view!

goddesstogo

Oops, I'm sorry. I just read your whole post and the River Cafe is going to be too pricey. Is it possible you and your daughter could just make this a 'girls' weekend away'?

N77

We can be flexible our dinner budget. I am glad to hear of your personal recommendation! I so wanted the River Cafe to work out. I hesitated when I read the Tripadvisor reviews. Thanks for the input!